Covering part for utilizing elements such as clothing buttons

ABSTRACT

A decorative covering part for a utilitarian element such as a clothing button, a shirt cuff or blouse cuff button, or an ornamental element, comprises an insertion opening for the utilitarian element bounded on at least two facing sides by a gripping surface for the utilitarian element. A distance between sides of the insertion opening decreases, in at least one region, in the direction opposite to the direction of insertion. The covering part can therefore be made from any material, including rigid materials, and can be easily manipulated.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an ornamental cover for an operating elementsuch as a clothing button arranged on a shirt or blouse cuff or anornamental element wherein the ornamental cover is adapted to be mountedand demounted on the operating element.

It is well known to have conventional ornamental buttons for shirt orblouse cuffs which comprise a plate-like top portion with a bottomthereof. The bottom has secured thereto a central stem portion with afree end having a two-armed lever which is pivotally mounted to an axleextending parallel to said top portion and being secured to said centralportion and being designed as a stud or the like. Ornamental cuff linksof the above type are adapted to be used with shirts or blouses havingcuffs with end portions being formed with button holes. Long-sleeveshirts and blouses normally have cuffs with one end portion being formedwith a button hole and the other end portion having a button. Therefore,the conventional ornamental cuff links cannot be used with such shirtsand blouses.

A cover for ornamenting conventional shirt cuff links or clothingbuttons is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,230. Here the cover comprisesa first plate and a second plate which is formed as a fork and which isopposite to the bottom of said first plate. For the purpose ofsimplification the fork plate will be referred to only as a fork. Thebutton is clamped between the plate and the fork. The bottom of theplate and the top of the fork that faces the bottom of the plate thuseach provide one clamping surface for the button. As illustratedtherein, the fork is in all dimensions narrower and shorter than theplate and over a certain extent of its breadth, it is integrally formedwith the plate by means of a frame which is greater than theabove-mentioned forked portion and which extends vertically downwardfrom the edge of the plate. The fork is inclined with respect to theplate in such a manner that a free fork end is in closer proximity tothe plate than the other fork end. Accordingly, the fork and the platemust be allowed to bend from each other prior to the mounting on thebutton. Therefore, the variety of materials for the cover is limited toelastic materials, unless an early breakage of the relatively narrowabutting area of fork and plate or frame is accepted. However, manymaterials for ornamental elements such as platinum allows and ornamentalstones are brittle or rigid. Consequently, it is not possible tomanufacture the described cover from merely these materials. At bestthese materials may be coated on the cover, but this method is intricateand does not comply with the demand for quality of many persons. Inaddition, in the cover according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,230, the fork isshorter than the plate, and thus the fork cannot be easily operated todetach the cover from the button.

Considering the above prior art it is the object of the invention toprovide a cover of the aforementioned general type which may bemanufactured of any material, has a long service life, and which is easyto handle and as versatile as possible.

This object is attained by a cover which is formed with a receivingportion for the operating element which has at least two points facingeach other to define two facing clamping surfaces for the operatingelement and wherein a distance between the at least two clampingsurfaces decreases at least partially along a mounting direction of thecover. As the distance between the clamping surfaces decreases along themounting direction (it is not the smallest at the beginning of thecover), the cover may thus be mounted on buttons of various shape. Theclamping surfaces need not permit elastic bending with respect to eachother. Consequently they may extend rigidly with respect to each other.This means that they need not be linked to each other by means of a filmlink or the like, but may be rigidly connected with each other alongwhole edges, for example from castings or elements carved out of stoneor wood. Accordingly, the clamping surfaces of the cover may have agreat thickness which gives the cover rigidity. If the two clampingpieces consist of different materials, than their hold can be obtainedby a plastical deformation of the one of those pieces which is softerthan the other. With uniform materials, clamping can occur by tiltingone of the two pieces with respect to the other. Both with elastic andwith rigid piece parts it is possible to have two clamping surfaces. Oneor both of these clamping surfaces may be inclined with respect to animaginary plane extending in a longitudinal direction through the cover.If only one clamping surface is inclined and an operating element orornamental element is used which has at least one flat side which isfree to a great extent (as in the case of a conventional cuff link) thecover may be very safely held in place on the element. This is truebecause with the elements non-inclined surface, the cover can contactthe whole flat surface of the element, that is it will contact theelement over a large area. In case of an element having a substantiallyrectangular cross-section (such as a conventional cuff link), theinclined clamping surface can act on the rear upper button edge alongthe mounting direction. Where a calotte-shaped button is used, theclamping surface could act on the peak thereof. If both clampingsurfaces are inclined and the element has a rectangular cross-section,clamping can be effected on the rear edges of the element along themounting direction. For all these variations retention of the cover isobtained by having the clamping surface extend lengthwise andbreadthwise of the cover.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide, either in addition to or insteadof the clamping surfaces extending lengthwise and widthwise, twoclamping surfaces which extend in the direction of height of the cover.Either only one, or both of these clamping surfaces may be inclined withrespect to an imaginary plane extending through the cover in thedirection of height thereof. It is also possible to provide severalpairs of clamping surfaces extending in the direction of height such asat a long and at a broad side of a quadrangular cover. When mounting thecover from above, the cover must be open at its bottom. The cover can besafely held on the element if lengthwise and widthwise clamping surfacesare provided in combination with clamping surfaces extending heightwise.In this case the cover must have a front opening or be adapted to beopened in front.

Such an opening can be provided where the cover comprises a top plateand a base plate facing said top plate and connected therewith by anopening, or adapted to be opened, at a base section which forms thebeginning of the cover along the mounting direction. The base plate caninclude an aperture extending from the beginning base section of thecover along the mounting direction.

In the case of an element having a rectangular cross-section, clampingmay be effected on the rear edges of the element along the mountingdirection. For an element having a circular or oval contour (such as aconventional cuff link), it is proposed to provide clamping at twopoints on the element which are at least approximately opposeddiametrically and with clamping surfaces extending in the direction ofheight.

As indicated above, clamping surfaces that extend lengthwise, widthwiseand heightwise are utilized in the cover and if the inside cover wallsthat provide the clamping surfaces have outer surfaces which extend inparallel relationship to the clamping surfaces, the outer surfaces ofthe clamping surfaces and the cover walls could have parallel surfaces.Here the whole cover could be manufactured from one or several metalsheets that may be bent. In this case, the cover may have a shape whichincludes cants and edges or ears which are arched over. This can ensurethat the cover is safely held in place on the element and allows for thecover to have an advantageous unusual styling.

The cover may have an outer shape which differs from the shape andposition of the clamping surfaces. It is also possible to provide(either in addition to or instead of the above-specified clampingsurfaces) clamping surfaces extending in the direction of height of thecover wherein the distance between said clamping surfaces are at leastpartially smaller than the external dimension of one or several holdingelement(s) for the operating element. In the case of a button held bythreads, the clamping surfaces can interact with the threads. In thecase of a pass-through button with a base shaft, the clamping surfacescan interact with a base shaft portion of the button.

A cover in which the clamping surfaces extend heightwise and with asmaller distance therebetween than the holding element of the button,can be held in place at the holding element and thus at the operating orornamental element in a strikingly simple manner. The cover need onlyinclude a one-wall element such as a plate which includes a slot-likeaperture which does not cover the overall length of the plate and whichaperture itself provides the clamping surfaces by means of its limitingwalls extending in longitudinal direction. The element may also bepan-shaped or otherwise open on top. With the first-mentionedembodiment, the bottom of operating or ornamental elements may becovered and with the second embodiment the bottom and the side surfacescan be covered. In both cases the operating or ornamental element isoptically set off. However, the cover may also be formed as a hollowelement which is closed to a great extent and has an aperture thatextends along a base plate.

When clamping surfaces extending in the direction of height of the coverand wherein the distance between said clamping surfaces are at leastpartially smaller than the external dimension of one or several holdingelement(s) are provided, their clamping surfaces may extend in parallelrelationship to each other in order to safely hold the cover at theholding element(s). But if the distance between the surfaces decrease,the cover can still be safely held at the holding element(s).Furthermore, one of the clamping surfaces may be provided by the coveritself by elements which are disposed at (or in) the cover. In order toprovide a specific shape of the cover with respect to the operating orornamental element, one can provide that the clamping surface extenddiagonally with respect to the cover.

The shape of a clamping surface in accordance with the invention may bestructurally defined in an advantageous manner in that at least oneclamping surface extends at an angle, which opens along the mountingdirection of the cover by approximately 5 to 30 degrees as defined by animaginary line which extends in longitudinal mounting direction of thecover and which represents a side of a right triangle when the clampingsurface is the hypotenuse. The clamping surface may extend in a singleplane, that is, it may be flat. In another variation the clampingsurface may include corrugations or serrations. A clamping surface thatvaries heightwise may also be further developed in this manner. In thelast-mentioned variations, the clamping surface need not necessarilyextend at an angle to a line which extends in longitudinal directionthrough the cover. The projecting curvatures of the corrugations (or thepoints of the serrations) effect the decreasing distance between theclamping surfaces along the mounting direction when crests and troughsare arranged so as to not face each other. Thus it is possible to attaina holding function. In both cases the crests and troughs need notnecessarily have the same dimension along the longitudinal direction ofthe cover. The same applies to serrations of course. Particularly forembodiments with corrugations and serrations, it is possible tomanufacture the clamping surfaces or clamping walls of elastic material.If they were manufactured of hard material such as steel or a jewel, onewould include the risk of damaging the operating or ornamental elementand/or its holding element(s). The clamping surfaces may each beprovided by at least one element disposed at (or in) the cover. Here theelement may be a leaf spring. It may also be a block of an elasticmaterial such as rubber or synthetic material. For clamping surfacesthat vary in height, bars of elastic material may be used.

Where the cover comprises a top plate and a base plate, facing said topplate and connected therewith by an opening or a cover adapted to beopened at a base section which forms the beginning of the cover alongthe mounting direction. The base plate can include an aperture extendingfrom the beginning base section of the cover along the mountingdirection, then the aperture permits the holding element for theoperating or ornamental element to pass through the bottom of the coverto secure the button to another element. In the case of a clothingbutton, the thread can pass through the cover to secure the button tothe article of clothing. If the aperture is designed with clampingsurfaces extending in the direction of height of the cover and whereinthe distance between said clamping surfaces are at least partiallysmaller than the external dimension of one or several holding element(s)for the operating element, a holding function can be obtained. If theaperture extends over the approximate total length of the cover, herethe above-proposed clamping function will be possible in the rear areaof the operating or ornamental element.

To prevent an undesired loss of the cover and/or for stylistic reasons,a flap can be provided to close a base opening that accommodates slidingof the cover over the operating element. Manufacturing of the cover byextruding, deep-drawing, bending or casting can occur when it includescants, edges and/or areas which are arched outwards.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first cover embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the cover of FIG. 1, as mounted on a firstclothing button;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line III--III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on the line IV--IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a section in accordance with that of FIG. 3 wherein the coveris mounted on an ornamental element;

FIG. 6 is a section in accordance with that of FIG. 3 through a secondcover embodiment, as mounted on a clothing button;

FIG. 7 is an unfolded view of the second cover embodiment;

FIG. 7a is a cross-section of a sectional bar for use in a cover;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section through a third cover embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section through a fourth cover embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a section taken on the line X--X of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section through a fifth cover embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal section through a sixth embodiment of thecover;

FIG. 13 is a section taken on the line XIII--XIII of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a schematic drawing of a seventh cover embodiment; and

FIG. 15 is the cover shown in FIG. 14 as mounted on a button.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The ornamental cover 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 resembles a segmentof a frustum of a pyramid with a rectangular base. Except for a closureflap 11, which will be described thereinafter, it is manufactured as onepiece from silver.

By reason of its above-mentioned pyramidal shape and its beingmanufactured of silver, the cover creates an ornamental element byitself as well as for a button 12 contained thereby. Threads 13 areguided through openings 14 in the button 12 to secure the button to afirst end portion 15 of a shirt cuff 16. A second end portion 17 of theshirt cuff 16 is formed with a buttonhole 18 to accommodate passage ofthe button 12 therethrough. As usual, the button 12 is made of asynthetic material, is circular shaped and has a rectangularcross-section.

The cover 10 includes a receiving open portion 19 for locating thebutton 12. The opening 19 has an upper side top plate 20. The top plate20 has the contour of an isosceles trapezoid. The length L of thetrapezoid is substantially greater than the diameter D of the button 12.In the illustrated embodiment it is about 25 mm. The smallest breadth Bof the trapezoid is about 12 mm, whereas the greatest breadth B1 isabout 21 mm. A base plate 21 is provided with the same basic shape anddimensions as the top plate 20 and is spaced in parallel relationshipfrom the top plate 20 by about 3 mm. The base plate 21 includes anaperture 22 which covers about four fifths the overall length of thecover and which begins at its base section 23. The cover 10 is mountedon the button 12 by being slid in the direction of arrow 1 from the baseside 23 of the cover 10. In this embodiment, the aperture 22 isrectangularly shaped and has straight limiting walls 22a and a breadth bwhich amounts to about 3 mm. This breadth corresponds to the distancebetween the holes 14 in the button 12 and thus to the distance betweenthe button threads 13 so as to permit the threads to freely pass throughthe base plate 21.

Except for area of the base 23 adjacent the flap 11, the top plate 20and the base plate 21 are interconnected by means of a frame 24. Theframe 24 includes two side walls 25 and 26 having a length L and heightH and one transverse wall 27 extending in the direction of breadth B andwith the same height H. The side walls 25 and 26 as well as thetransverse wall 27 have a rectangular contour, because in thisembodiment the top plate 20 and the base plate 21 extend in parallelrelationship to each other. All plates 20, 21 and walls 25, 26, 27 areintegrally cast of silver having a thickness of approximately 0.5 mm to2 mm. Accordingly, the plates 20, 21 and the walls 25 to 27 extendrigidly with respect to each other. At best, they may be elasticallybent from each other only after exertion of very great pressure.

As particularly shown in FIG. 3, the whole inner surface 29 of the topplate 20 is spaced by an amount (a) from the inner surface 30 of thebase plate 21. The amount (a) is slightly greater than the height (h) ofthe button 12 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 which are illustrated greatlyenlarged). The cover 10 is held on the button 12 only by means of theside walls 25 and 26. Because of the above-described shape of the plates20 and 21 and side walls 25 and 26 connected with said plates 20 and 21along their longitudinal edges, the distance (A) between the side walls25 and 26 decreases continuously along the direction of arrow 2 from thebase 23 to the transverse wall 27, representing the end of the cover 10.The distance (A) at the rear end 27 of the cover 10 is smaller than thediameter (D) of the button 12. The inner surfaces 31 and 32 of the sidewalls 25 and 26 thus provide clamping surfaces for the button 12 at twoline points 33 and 34 which are diametrically opposed along thedirection of height (h) of the button 12. Because of the differentbreadth dimensions (B) and (B1) of the plate 20 and thus of the wholecover 10, the clamping surfaces 31 and 32 of this embodiment extend atan angle (W) (open in mounting direction 1 of the cover 10) ofapproximately 10 degrees with respect to an imaginary line 35 whichextends in longitudinal direction (L). Line 25 represents one side of aright triangle with the clamping surface 31 or 32 on the hypotenuse.Consequently, the cover 10 is held on the button 12 in a strikinglysimple manner by being clamped. A flap 11 provides additional safetyagainst an undesired removal from the button 12 from the cover 10. Theflap 11 has a substantially rectangular contour and a height (h1) whichis slightly smaller than the distance a between the inner surfaces 29and 30 of top plate 20 and a base plate 21. It has a length (L1) whichis greater than the breadth (B1) of the cover 10 in the area of the flap11. The flap 11 is provided with an eyelet 36 at one end by means ofwhich it is pivotally mounted to a bolt 37 which is disposed in theproximity of the side wall 25 between the top plate 20 and the baseplate 21. At its second end, flap 11 is provided with a lug 38 which hasa substantially cylindrical shape that ends in a ball 39. Pivoting theflap 11 about the bolt 37 will permit the flap 11 to contact the outsideof the side wall 26 by the ball 39 of the lug 38. At its front end 23,the side wall 26 is recessed by the amount (x) which corresponds to thethickness of the flap 11. Accordingly, the flap 11 rests between theinner surfaces 29 and 30 of the cover 10 without projecting outtherefrom over the length (L) thereof. Consequently, after the closingof the flap 11, the cover 10 cannot slip off the button 12 and be lost.When detaching the cover 10 from the button 12, the ball 39 representsan easily seizable handle for moving the flap 11. After pivoting theflap 11 about the bolt 37, the cover 10 may be removed from the button12 in arrow direction 2 if desired.

FIG. 5 shows the cover 10 as mounted on an ornamental element 40. Inthis embodiment the ornamental element 40 is a circular disk-shapedjewel which is secured to a gentleman's ring 42 by means of a centralportion 41. In this manner, the appearance of the gentleman's ring 42has been reversibly modified in a novel manner. This is particularlyimpressive when the thus modified gentleman's ring is worn incombination with a shirt which is equipped with similar covers 10 asdescribed above.

The cover 43 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 substantially resembles theabove-illustrated and described cover 10. Like details of bothembodiments are identified with like reference numerals and for theirdescription reference should be had to FIGS. 1 to 4. The plates 20, 21and walls 25, 26, 27 of this embodiment, however, have been cut orpunched as one piece of a completely flat piece of silver sheet 44 (seeFIG. 7) having a thickness of about 0.5 mm and are provided with anengraving 20b in the area 20a later representing the upper side of thetop plate 20. The plates 20, 21 and walls 25, 26, 27 are bent to formthe cover 43 shown in FIG. 6. The three edges 28a, 28b and 28c of thetransverse wall 27, which are unattached after the forming of the cover43 by bending, are soldered to the front edges of the side walls 25 and26 and the base plate 21. In a further possible variation, thetransverse wall 27 may be omitted. In this case, the cover 43 would beopen at the rear. In this embodiment, the aperture 22 extends over thetotal length (L) of the cover 43; is in trapezoidal form and has itsgreatest breadth at (B1). The plates 20, 21 and walls 25, 26, 27 arearranged substantially rigidly with respect to each other. They may beelastically bent from each other only after exertion of a relativelygreat pressure. As particularly shown in FIG. 6, the inner surface 29 ofthe top plate 20 is spaced from the inner surface 30 of the base plate21 by an amount which decreases towards the rear end of the cover(transverse wall 27). This is due to the fact that the side walls 25 and26 of this embodiment are trapezoidal form. Therefore, the cover 43resembles (in plan view) a hollow frustum of a pyramid having atrapezoidal form base. In the front base area (starting at mountingdirection 1), the side walls 25 and 26 have a breadth (B2) of 5 mm, andin the rear area they have a breadth (B3) of 1.5 mm. The dimensions ofbreadth (B) and (B1) of the plate 20 are equal to those described on thebasis of FIGS. 1 to 4. Accordingly, two clamping surfaces are providedwhich extend in the direction of length (L) and breadth (B) of the cover43, that is, the inner surfaces 29 and 30 of the top plate 20 and thebase plate 21, as well as two clamping surfaces which extend in thedirection of height (H) of the cover 43 (the inner surfaces 31 and 32 ofthe side walls 25 and 26).

Accordingly, the cover 43 is held in place on the cabochon-shaped button45, which includes a base portion 45a as bottom holding element. Theholding is through inner surfaces 31 and 32 of the side walls 25 and 26and the inner surfaces 29 and 30 of the top plate 20 and the base plate21. Therefore, clamping is effected at two diametrically opposed top andbottom points of the button 45, the point 45 with the highest curvatureand the other point with the whole button base 47.

On the basis of the shape of the aperture 22 which has been describedabove, the distance between the limiting walls 22a thereof decreasesfrom the base 23 along the mounting direction 1. The trapezoidal shapeof the aperture 22 was chosen such that the breadth thereof (at abouthalf the length L) equals the diameter of the base portion 45a of thebutton 45. Therefore, additional clamping is effected between theaperture limiting walls 22a and button holding base portion 45(a).

If the button is held to a shirt by means of threads instead of a baseportion 45(a), sectional bars of elastic synthetic material or the likemight be provided which are adapted to be slid onto said limiting walls22a in order to avoid the risk of damaging the threads by the limitingwalls 22a. One of said sectional bars is illustrated in FIG. 7a. The bar200 has an approximately C-shaped cross-section and includes two legs202 and 203 which are connected by means of a connecting portion 201 andwhich are adapted to be elastically bent with respect to each other. Thebar has the same length as the limiting wall 22a, the connecting portion201 has the same height as the limiting wall 22a, and the legs 202 and203 have approximately half the breadth of the base plate sections 21(not illustrated). The outer surface 205 of the upper leg 202 bearsagainst the button base and effects additional clamping of the button.

It is also possible to coat the limiting walls 22a with elasticmaterial, for example by adhesively attaching a tape of syntheticmaterial or by applying synthetic material by injection-moulding.

Both with and without bars or coatings, the cover 43 is absolutely andsafely held in place on the button 45. A similarly good holding effectwould also be attained on a circular disk-shaped button. In this case,clamping would be effected on the rear upper button edge by means of theinclined top plate 20. Otherwise clamping would be provided at the samepoints as in the case of the cabochon-type button 45.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the cover 48 is similarlyshaped as the cover 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, but includesslightly outwardly curved side walls 25 and 26 and a slightly outwardlycurved transverse wall 27, in order that the formed frame 24circumscribes three curves. Here the cover 48 has been cut from asemi-precious stone. The top plate 20 and the not illustrated base plateare shaped correspondingly. The essential feature of the cover 48 isthat clamping is not effected by means of its walls but by two leafsprings 49 and 50 disposed within said cover. The leaf springs 49 and 50are loosely inserted in the cover 48. With their first ends 49a and 50athey rest against the inner sides of the rounded edges 51, 52 betweenthe side wall 25 and the transverse wall 27 as well as between the sidewall 26 and the transverse wall 27. With their second ends 49b and 50bthey rest against the inner sides of rounded edges 53 and 54 which areprovided by the side walls 25 and 26 in the base area 23 of the cover48. The leaf springs 49 and 50 are concavely curved with respect to theimaginary longitudinal central axis 55 of the cover 48. This means thattheir distance (A) decreases from the base 23 in the mounting direction1 up to the center of the cover 48. Because of pre-tension, the springsact towards the longitudinal central axis 55. Therefore, they are ableto act on an angular button at two longitudinal side walls thereof, oron a round button 12, as illustrated in FIG. 8, at two diametricallyopposed points thereof. In each case the holding function isaccomplished by clamping.

It is obvious that the cover 48 might also be shaped in a differentmanner. The only necessity in this embodiment, however, are abuttingsurfaces or abutting edges for the leaf springs 49 and 50. But even theymight be omitted if studs or the like were provided for the spring ends49a, 50a, 49b, 50b. At its initial area 23, the cover 48 may be closedby a flap (not illustrated) of a resilient synthetic material which hasbeen colored in accordance with the color of the semi-precious stoneused for the cover 48 and which is adapted to be clipped between thebent side wall ends (edges 53 and 54).

In the cover 56 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the side walls 25 and 26and the transverse wall 27 are not curved. The distance A between theside walls 25 and 26 also decreases as in the embodiment according toFIGS. 1 to 4. As shown in FIG. 10, the side walls 25 and 26, however,extend at an angle to the plates 20 and 21 which deviates from a rightangle. In a particular embodiment, they extend at an angle (W1) ofapproximately 70 degrees with respect to the top plate 20. By means ofthis angled slope, clamping is attained at two diametrically opposedpoints of the upper edge 12a of the circular disk-shaped button 12. Inthe main, a holding function by clamping is accomplished by a leafspring 57 element disposed within the cover. Contrary to the embodimentaccording to FIG. 8, there is provided only one leaf spring 57 which isnot arranged in the side wall area but rather is arranged in the initialarea 23 of the cover 56. A first end 57(a) of the leaf spring 57 issoldered to the top plate 20 of the cover 56 in the corner area 54thereof. Its other second and free end 57b and it is concavely curvedwith respect to the transverse wall 27. It extends almost up to thecorner area 53. It thus serves at the same time as a cover or flap forthe initial area 23 of the cover 56. Through its pre-tension it actstowards the transverse wall 27 to thereby urge the button 12 against theside walls 25 and 26. The removal of the cover 56 is effected aftermanual deflection of the second end 57b of the leaf spring 57 in arrowdirection 1.

As further shown by FIGS. 9 and 10, the limiting walls 22a of theaperture 22 of this embodiment are provided with surfaces 74 and 75which are corrugated in the direction of length (L) and height (H).Crests 76, 77 and troughs 78, 79 always face each other in parallelrelationship. The width (b) of the aperture 22 is smaller than thedistance (A2) between the holding threads 13 which pass through theholes 14 in the button 12 (greatly enlarged in FIG. 10). Accordingly,the cover of this embodiment, similar to the cover 43 described on thebasis of FIGS. 6 and 7, is additionally held in place by being clampedbetween the aperture limiting walls 22a and the button holding elements(threads 13). The "meandering" extension of the aperture 22 at thelimiting surfaces 74 and 75 as described and illustrated in FIG. 9,effectively prevents the cover 43 from sliding off the button holdingelements, even if the leaf spring 57 was no longer effective. Thismeandering configuration of the aperture 22 can of course be used withany of the previously mentioned embodiments.

As further shown by FIG. 10, the cover 56 includes on the top plate 20several small jewels 58 as ornamental elements. This feature also can beused with any of the embodiments.

The cover 59 illustrated in FIG. 11 resembles that shown by FIGS. 9 and10. Here instead of one leaf spring however, it includes two flaps 60and 61 which each have a hinge 62 or 63 (similar to doors of kitchenfurniture) which close automatically on the basis of spring tension. Theflaps 60, 61 are secured to the side walls 25 and 26 of the cover 59 andin the proximity of the initial area 23 thereof.

The flaps 60 and 61 each have approximately half the length of thebreadth (B1) of the cover 59 in the initial base area 23. Their ends 60aand 60b contact (in relatively close proximity to each other) two pointsof the oval button 64 of this embodiment. In addition, the cover 59includes a corrugated leaf spring 65 which extends in the proximity ofthe transverse wall 27 between the side walls 25 and 26. The flaps 60and 61 interact with the leaf spring 65 in such a manner that at twodiametrically opposed points 66 and 67, the button 64 is urged againstthe clamping surfaces 31 and 32 which are provided by the side walls 25and 26. These surfaces are described on the basis of FIGS. 1 to 4 andextend along the mounting direction 1 at a decreasing distance (A) withrespect to each other. Thereby a very safe clamping function isattained. The detachment of the cover 59 from the button 64 or from anyother button, or ornamental element may be effected after the deflectionof the flaps 60 and 61 in arrow direction 1. This retainer expedient canbe used on any of the above embodiments. In this cover 59 too, a furthercovering of the initial base area 23 may be dispensed with.

The transverse wall 27 of the cover 59 has a tie element 100 securedthereto. As the appearance of the cover 59 resembles very much atie-knot, the two elements 59 and 100 may be easily considered to be atie. On the basis of the design of the cover 59 in accordance with theinvention, the tie may be put on and off very easily and quickly, and isheld in place safely.

It is obvious that the cover 59 may be ornamented itself, it may beornamented with jewels or the like, or it may be covered with thematerial of which the tie element 100 is made.

The cover 59 or another cover in accordance with the invention may alsoserve as a body or base for a bow tie, bow or the like. Furthermore, itmay also serve as a substitute for a tie, bow tie or bow.

Similar to the cover 48 illustrated in FIG. 8, the cover 68 according toFIGS. 12 and 13 also includes two elements 69 and 70 which are disposedin the cover and which extend between the side walls 25 and 26 and thetop plate 20 and the base plate 21. The cover 68 in this embodiment iscolumn-shaped and has a rectangular base. Said two elements 69 and 70serve for clamping the button 71, which in this embodiment has acircular elevation 72 on the upper edge and otherwise is circulardisk-shaped like the button 12. The cover 68 is cast of a syntheticmaterial. It includes a rectangular top plate 20 which has a technicalinstrument 73 of equal size mounted to an upper side. The instrument canbe a watch. The likewise rectangular base plate 21 includes a slot 22which extends over the total length of the cover and which is broaderthan in the above-indicated embodiments.

The elements 69 and 70 are two substantially identically shaped blocksof flexible synthetic material. They each include a corrugated surface74 or 75 extending in longitudinal direction (L) and in the direction ofheight (H). They are arranged in the cover 68 in such a manner that thesurfaces 74 and 75 face each other. Here the crests 76 of one block 69face the crests 77 of the other block 70 directly, that is, notstaggered with respect to each other. The surfaces 74 and 75 provideclamping surfaces for holding the cover 68 in place on the button 71.The distance (A) between said surfaces decreases partially, that is,from each crest 76 or 77 to each trough 78 or 79, along the mountingdirection 1. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the blocks 69 and 70 have alength which permits them to safely abut against the transverse wall 27and the side walls 25 and 26 which are bent at their ends. They have abreadth which permits the clamping surfaces 74 and 75 to extend far intothe slot 22 (see FIG. 13). As indicated in FIG. 12, the button 71 thusurges the clamping surfaces 74 and 75 far apart towards the side walls25 and 26. Accordingly, the clamping surfaces 74 and 75 each restagainst the circumferential surface of the button over an angular rangeof approximately 100 degrees. The cover 68 is thus held securely inplace on the button 71. This holding means can likewise be used on otherembodiments.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 14 and 15 resembles very much that ofFIG. 11. The corrugated leaf spring 65 is replaced by an elastic tape 81which is secured in the initial area 23 of the cover 80 in front of theflaps 60 and 61 at both ends 82, 83. In its inoperative position it isslack and forms an inward tip 84, because to a certain extent it iscompressed by the flaps 60 and 61. Areas of the inner sides 81a and 81bof the tape 81 (which face each other) are thus spaced from each otherby an amount (A) which decreases along the mounting direction 1. Aftermounting, the button 12 is held under tension by being clamped at itscircumferential surface over an angular range of approximately 230degrees by means of the flaps 60 and 61 and the tape 81 (FIG. 15). Againthis type of holder can be used on other of the embodiments.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way ofillustration and example only, and is not to be taken by way oflimitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to belimited only by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ornamental cover for an operating element suchas clothing button which is connected to a fabric material by holdingmeans which comprises: a cover with a receiving portion for theoperating element;wherein the receiving portion has at least two pointsfacing each other to each define a clamping surface that engages withside edges of the operating element; and wherein a distance between theat least two clamping surfaces facing each other decreases at leastpartially along a mounting direction of the cover and the operatingelement.
 2. Cover according to claim 1, wherein the at least twoclamping surfaced extend substantially rigid with respect to each other.3. Cover according to claim 2, wherein the at least two clampingsurfaces are made of rigid material.
 4. Cover according to claim 1,wherein the at least two clamping surfaces extend lengthwise andbreadthwise of the cover.
 5. Cover according to claim 4, wherein theoperating element has a substantially rectangular cross-section andwherein clamping is effected at least on a rear side edge of theoperating element.
 6. Cover according to claim 4, wherein the operatingelement has at least one of circular or oval contour; andwhereinclamping is effected at two points on the operating element located atapproximately opposed sides of the operating element.
 7. Cover accordingto claim 1, wherein the two clamping surfaces extend heightwise of thecover.
 8. Cover according to claim 1, wherein the at least two clampingsurfaces extend heightwise of the cover; andwherein the distance betweensaid at least two clamping surfaces is at least smaller than an externaldimension of the holding means for securing the operating element. 9.Cover according to claim 8, wherein the at least two clamping surfacesextend at least approximately in parallel relationship to each other.10. Cover according to claim 8, wherein the distance between the atleast two clamping surfaces decreases at least partially along themounting direction.
 11. Cover according to claim 8, wherein at least oneof the two clamping surfaces extends diagonally along an inside of thecover.
 12. Cover according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the twoclamping surface extends at an angle of approximately 5 to 30 degreeswith respect to the mounting direction of the cover as defined by animaginary line which extends longitudinally along the mounting directionand through the cover; and which imaginary line represents a side of aright triangle when the at least one of the two clamping surfaces is thehypotenuse thereof.
 13. Cover according to claim 1, wherein one of theat least two clamping surface extends in a single plane.
 14. Coveraccording to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two clamping surfacehas a corrugated surface.
 15. Cover according to claim 14, wherein thecorrugated surface is higher at rear edge thereof than at front thereofalong the mounting direction.
 16. Cover according to claim 4, wherein atleast one of the two clamping surfaces is made of elastic material. 17.Cover according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two clampingsurfaces is provided by the cover itself.
 18. Cover according to claim1, wherein at least one of the two clamping surfaces is provided by atleast one clamping element that is disposed at a location that is atleast one of in and on the cover.
 19. Cover according to claim 18,wherein the element is a leaf spring.
 20. Cover according to claim 18,wherein the element has a block shape.
 21. Cover according to claim 1,wherein the cover comprises: a top plate;a base plate facing said topplate; said top and base plates being connected therewith by a frame;wherein the frame has an open base section which is located at a basewhich forms a beginning for the mounting direction of the cover; andwherein the base plate includes an aperture extending from saidbeginning of the cover along the mounting direction.
 22. Cover accordingto claim 21, wherein the aperture extends for approximately a totallength of the base plate.
 23. Cover according to claim 21, wherein theopen base section of the frame is closed by at least one flap.
 24. Coveraccording to claim 23, wherein the at least one flap is linked to thecover by a structural element that extends in a direction of height ofthe cover; andwherein the at least one flap rests in a clamping manneragainst an area of the frame facing the sturctural element.
 25. Coveraccording to claim 1, wherein the cover is manufactured as one piece.26. Cover according to claim 25, wherein the one piece is a bent sheetmetal element.
 27. Cover according to claim 1, wherein an outerconfiguration of the cover includes at least one of cants, edges andareas which are arched outwards.
 28. Cover according to claim 1, whereinan outer configuration of the cover resembles a frustum of a pyramid inplan view.
 29. Cover according to claim 1, wherein the cover isornamented along at least one side thereof to face a viewer.
 30. Anornamental cover for an operating element such as a clothing buttoncomprises:a cover with a receiving portion for the operating element;wherein the receiving portion has at least two points facing each otherto each define a clamping surface for the operating element; wherein adistance between at least two clamping surfaces facing each otherdecreases at least partially along a mounting direction of the cover andthe operating element; wherein the cover comprises a top plate and abase plate facing said top plate, and said top and base plates areconnected therewith by a frame; wherein the frame has an open basesection which is located at a base which forms a beginning for themounting direction of the cover; wherein the base plate includes anaperture extending from said beginning of the cover along the mountingdirection; wherein the open base section of the frame is closed by atleast one flap; wherein there are two flaps each linked at one endthereor to opposite sides of the frame by a hinge; and wherein otherends of the flaps rest against the operating element.
 31. An ornamentalcover for an operating element such as a clothing button comprises:acover with a receiving portion for the operating element; wherein thereceiving portion has at least two points facing each other to eachdefine a clamping surface for the operating element; wherein a distancebetween at least two clamping surfaces facing each other decreases atleast partially along a mounting direction of the cover and theoperating element; wherein the cover comprises a top plate and a baseplate facing said top plate, and said top and base plates are connectedtherewith by a frame; wherein the frame has an open base section whichis located at a base which forms a beginning for the mounting directionof the cover; wherein the base plate includes an aperture extending fromsaid beginning of the cover along the mounting direction; wherein theopen base section of the frame is closed by at least one flap; whereinthe at least one flap is a leaf spring which has one end linked to thecover and another end resting against the operating element.